What is it Like to Attend a Heartland Climate Conference?

Guest essay by Eric Worrall

This is my second visit to the United States, and my first visit to a Heartland Climate Conference.

The overwhelming feeling on the first day of the two day conference is that you are among friends – even if some people hold a different point of view.

Not everyone here agrees that climate is a non-issue. One of Heartland’s key note speakers today was Robert Mendelsohn, Ph.D.

Dr. Mendelsohn is concerned that if we don’t start taking at least minimal action to contain CO2 emissions, we face a much steeper bill a few decades from now.

I think it is fair to say most people disagreed with Dr. Mendelsohn’s position. But the thank you for Dr. Mendelsohn’s courage in presenting a contrary point of view to an audience who largely disagreed with his position received a heartfelt standing ovation.

This is what liberty feels like.

The Heartland Conference is a forum where people are free to disagree. There is no consensus police demanding rigorous adherence to a particular position. Heartland is a place where people can express their views in a forum which accepts that people have the right to form their own opinion, and defend that opinion on its merits, without name calling or disrespect.

I could tell you some of the interesting facts I learned, or the time I brought the house down with my question about “naked climate models” (not what you think), but if you want to know what really happened, watch the videos – well worth your time.

Better still if you are in Washington D.C, and can attend in person.

Shall I attend another Heartland Conference? Definitely. Am I looking forward to tomorrow’s session? Absolutely.

The freedom to express yourself without hostility, making friends, meeting climate heroes in person, debating theories on merit rather than whether they conform to political convenience – its like finding something you thought was just a dream.